She stood at the bus stop shifting her weight from one leg to the other. 

Being an extraordinary student had its pros and cons. Pro was the fact that she got into the best institution which has been a dream for years now with a full scholarship. Con was that no one from her school got into it which meant she truly had no one that she knew at the college except for the guy who she had the most weird of relationships with. 

Did she hate him? NO. 

Did he hate her? Possibly. 

Did they both wish to stay the heck away from each other? YES.

Although she was bold, confident and at most times came across as an extrovert to the outside world, it wasn't in her innate nature to be that way. 

Loud noises made her heart race in panic. She was still scared to drive beside big trucks. New people and environment made her way too anxious and a little uncomfortable. The list went on and on. A lot of these were not even purview to her brother. Although he knew that the facade she put on was not entirely her true self, he was not aware of this meek and timid side which she wasn't particularly proud of either.

Over the years she consciously moulded her personality to be fun and fearless for the outside world because she was convinced that it was the only way to save her sensitive and vulnerable inner self from this selfish opportunistic world.

The last time she was in a similar situation was way too long ago when she had to move schools but she was too young to really make sense of her emotions then. 

"Tara you are going to be ok", she murmured to her inner child with confidence although her racing heart had a completely different story. 

"Hi", a male voice came from the side and brought her back into the real world.

Taking a deep-breath to compose herself, she put up her cordial smile before turning around to look. 

A guy dressed in a casual tee and jean with perfectly trimmed beard and casually styled hair stood. He smiled when their eyes locked for a brief second and she smiled back to acknowledge.

"Hi", he said again and sounded very gentle yet confident. 

"Hi", she said with her ever adorable smile that tucked away her nervousness. 

"Aakash", he introduced himself.

"Tara", she responded and he nodded in response. 

"First day va?", he asked as if he could read everything that was going on in her head which certainly caught her off guard. 

"Avlo appatamava iruku?", she chided herself for giving away even to a stranger. 

But acting as if it did not bother her she crouched her eyebrows in question. 

"I have never seen you before. Na matum dan ingendu eruven bus la. So..", he explained genuinely. 

"Paravalla... na onum avlo mosama act panla", she mentally took pride. 

"Hello... ", he called out not sure if she was listening any more. 

"Sorry... Yes first day dan. Neenga endha year?", she asked just to make conversation until the bus arrived. 

"Second year. Mech", he answered and before he could ask her anything more they were distracted by the sound of their college bus pulling over. 

"See you around Tara", he smiled and it sounded like a promise for some reason but without dwelling too much into it she boarded into the bus and settled into a window seat.

***

"Machan thanks da", Karthik hugged his best friend who has been his savior for a long time now. 

"Dei indha thanks lam solra vela vechukaadha nu ethana thadava dan da solradu. Thirundhave maatiya?", Dhruv chided knowing his best friend too well to know that this was never going to change. 

Being the only son of the two biggest entrepreneurs in the country had made his life very complex and complicated. He never had the childhood or normalcy that kids have growing up. He studied in a boarding school and visited home maybe twice a year. 

He had no qualms about his parents. They were loving and caring and provided him with the best of everything except for their time. He missed spending time with them and soon enough he grew up into an introvert that never opened up to anyone because he thought that there was no one but himself that he could truly rely on at any given situation. 

College was his only hope at having something close to a normal life and he was not willing to lose that for anything. He chose to never disclose his identity to anyone and he made a conscious effort to keep it that way. To everyone he was Karthik, the guy who rarely mingled with anyone. 

This had been the case until he met Dhruv. When they had met when they were both part of Organizing committee their college cultural and for some weird reason they had instantly bonded. It was as if they were meant to be brothers. Even in the smallest and silliest of things, Dhruv had been there with him by his side. He trusted the guy with his life. The one person who never failed to amaze him. The only person who knew who he truly was and did not really care for it. 

"Seri vidu machan. Nee safe ah drive pannu office ku. Nee sight adikra ponnu vara time kulla poganum nu rash ah otadha", he teased with a pat on his shoulder and winked hoping that it would distract him.

"Pecha maathadha da. Thanks solaadha nu latcham dhadava solirpen. Ozhunga class ku pora vazhiya paaru. Apdiye Tara va paathuko", he said with a grim face followed by a deep exhale.

"Hmm.. ok machan", he hugged Dhruv tight before waving bye and walking into the college. 

After almost 7 years he was going into a place alone without his best friend and it was not a good feeling. But he had to do this for himself. To prove to his parents that they could have chosen to spend time with him and still reach the heights they had today. 

***

The bus ride was smooth and uneventful for Tara. She met a couple of girls and guys who were also joining as freshers, got acquainted to the route because she soon wanted to drive herself and also met some seniors who were mostly friendly. 

It took close to 45-50 minutes for them to reach and finally she saw the campus that she had dreamt to be a part of for years. 

Walking into her dream, an unconscious yet soul-filling smile found its way to her lips as her eyes widened with the grandeur of the 100-year old campus.

"Looks like you are very happy", a voice that was not too strange found its way through and she knew who it was. 

"I am happy. Rombha varsha kanavu", she explicitly agreed which surprised her own self. 

She usually was not a person that would trust easily nor was she someone who opened herself that quick to anyone. She somehow felt safe around him. 

"I can relate to that feeling", he agreed and walked beside her. 

"Thats where Mech sits", he pointed out. 

"Adhu en solra", she asked casually to make sure she was not crossing any lines. 

"Just like that. First day.. edhachu help theva pattuchu na...", and it sounded genuine. 

"Ohooo", she smiled and he smiled back. 

"Nee endha department nu solave illa",he asked curious to know. 

"Elame inike solita epdi?", she raised her brows. 

"Idhu kooda solalana epdi?", he asked. 

"Oru ponnoda department kooda kandu pudika mudiyaadha alavuku neenga", she paused. 

"Is that a challenge?", he was surprised at how quick they had gotten to have their first banter. 

"Apdine vechuko", she answered and yet again she truly was amazed at this side of her. 

"Anga dan Freshers assemble aganum", he said as they neared a crowd.

She saw students entering the auditorium and she knew it was time for her to go in. 

"Thank you for walking with me", she could not help but let out a relieved sigh. The dreaded first day had not been so bad and it was all thanks to this guy who made her feel as if she belonged. 

And just when she thought that their banter was just fun, he said, "and iniku evening kulla I will find out", with utmost confidence before walking away with a grin that made her feel heart palpitate.

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Author's Note:

No wonder my mind is a mess. When I start writing the stories just grow into so many directions. But its just to just go with the flow.